President of ECOWAS Commission Acknowledges Efforts in Maritime Security at 4th Annual Meeting of African Sub-Regional Institutions

In a significant gathering hosted by the ECOWAS Commission on April 18, 2024, officials and presidents of African sub-regional institutions convened for the 4th Annual Meeting. Central to the discussions was the deliberation on the efficacy, potential, and vitality of the Interregional Coordination Centre (ICC).

H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY, serving as the Chairman of the ICC in his capacity as President of the ECOWAS Commission, presided over the meeting. Gratitude was extended to Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), such as #CEEAC_ECCAS, the Inter-Regional Center (ICC), and esteemed partners including EUD in Nigeria and UNODC..., for their unwavering dedication to enhancing maritime security.

The event provided a platform for fruitful exchanges on institutional functioning and future prospects, reinforcing the commitment to collaborative efforts in safeguarding African waters.

Its objective is the establishment of a comprehensive economic union and the elimin

ation of all obstacles hindering the unity of its member states in order to promote economic, cultural, political and social integration. Added to this are two other areas of cooperation: regional security and sustainable development.

H.E. Général Mahamat Idriss DÉBY ITNO, President of the Republic of Chad and Chairman of Authority of  Heads of State and Government of the CEN-SAD

The 25 member states of CEN-SAD are: Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo and Tunisia.

CEN-SAD is the largest regional organization in terms of number of member states, population and area

Executive Secretary of CEN-SAD

The Revised Treaty of the CEN SAD of 2013 and which entered into force in 2019 gives another face to the CEN SAD with, for example, the naming of the General Secretariat as an Executive Secretariat with a new organizational chart.

Mr. Ado El Hadj Abou, Executive Secretary of CEN-SAD, holds a master's degree in economics and a diploma in international relations. Of Nigerien nationality, Mr. Ado El Hadj Abou enjoys a rich career as a diplomat.